Ukraine Navy Chief Warns That Russia Is Raising The Likelihood Of War

Russian President Vladimir Putin may be planning to escalate the conflict in Ukraine, onlookers say. Alexei Nikolsky/POOL/TASS

US News and World Report: Putin Raising Likelihood of War, Ukrainian Navy Chief Says

Analysts predict an 'imminent' surge in conflict between Russia and Ukraine in and around the Black Sea.

Russia appears poised to escalate hostilities in Ukraine, according to a new analysis – signs of an uptick in the broader war that the country's top naval officer says is directed exclusively by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"It is extremely centralized power in Russia. Everything is in the hands of Mr. Putin," Ukrainian Vice Adm. Ihor Voronchenko tells U.S. News.

Twenty-four Ukrainian sailors and seamen on Wednesday remained in Russian custody following a November encounter between the two countries' navies and security forces in the Black Sea. Russian ships have also blocked access to the Black and Azov seas, limiting Ukraine's ability to use critical commercial ports and raising the specter of war following four years of simmering conflict.

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WNU Editor: Russian President Putin does not need to set into motion an escalation of hostilities in Ukraine. The entire Ukrainian-Russian population feel discriminated upon and victimized by the central government in Kiev, and as long as the government refuses to accommodate and compromise with this ethnic group in Ukraine, the conflict will only continue.

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